Shell Point Life May-Jun 2021

May/Jun 2021

Vol. 16 Issue 3

Ignite Your Purpose Ways to Grow and Be of Service

LET'S WALK

Exploring Koreshan State Park

BUILD IT AND THEY WILL COME Special Houses Provide a Home to Purple Martins

Getting to Know You!

6

Friendships abound at Shell Point as residents get to know one another. That’s why each issue of Shell Point Life contains numerous stories about the interesting individuals who make up our community! Through these features residents are often surprised to discover someone in which they may have something uniquely in common.

College Buddies Reunite

With Guy Rhoade’s move to The Estuary in 2017, and Frank Blaze’s move to Periwinkle in 2019, these two former college roommates are now once again living on the same campus after nearly 65 years.

Sprechen Sie Deutsch?

16

Well, if you do, you’ll want to meet Wolfgang Kraft of Harbor Court.

Wolfgang has spent his professional career teaching students how to speak German and he also has an interesting story to tell about his exodus from East Germany following World War II.

Let’s Walk!

44

The Shell Point Walking Club has certainly put some miles on this year. Their final trip of the season was through Koreshan State Park in Estero. This walk was perfect for the group because it was close to home, scenic, historically interesting and not too crowded. Read, on page 44, how this group of 41 Shell Pointers enjoyed a day of beautiful weather and intriguing history while getting their exercise.

Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

–– Romans Romans 15:13 15:13

Shell Point Life is published for the residents of Shell Point Retirement Community.

Editor Lynn Schneider Creative Director Rich Cerrina Senior Graphic Designer Wendy Iverson Contributors Dawn Boren, Pat Bubb, Robyn Church, Claude Emler, Michelle Emmett, Maria Festa, Jeff Cory, Janine Hammond, Andrew Hawkins, Jon High, Anette Isaacs, Steve Morton, Jami Smith, Carol Sperlak, Susan Uhleman, Michael Weiss, Peggy Zimmerman Shell Point Life is available online.

You can find this current issue, as well as back issues of Shell Point Life magazine, at www.shellpoint.org/shellpointlife.

RETIREMENT COMMUNITY

13921 Shell Point Plaza • Fort Myers, FL 33908

(239) 466-1131 • www.shellpoint.org Shell Point is a nonprofit ministry of The Christian and Missionary Alliance Foundation

2

Shell Point Life | May/June 2021

Taste

of SHELL POINT

The “Taste of Shell Point” exhibition was the place to be as Shell Point’s culinary team provided several delicious options from each dining venue for residents to sample. To see all of the photos from the event visit Social Scene on www.shellpoint.net.

Wilma Sanders (Royal Bonnet) Edgar and Santa Lorch (Parkwood)

Michelle Emmett and Dana Tucker (Nautilus)

Dawn and Larry Kaufman (The Estuary)

Lorraine & Nick Melillo (Parkwood)

Paula Macilwaine (The Estuary)

Shell Point Life | May/June 2021

3

Shell Point is a Great Place to Work!

B Y K A R E N A N D E R S O N , V I C E P R E S I D E N T, H U M A N R E S O U R C E S

I think all of us would agree that the employees here at Shell Point are pretty special. But, how do we attract and retain such high quality staff? The answer is simple. Shell Point attracts great people because Shell Point is officially a Great Place to Work! That’s right, our community recently received word that Shell Point has been certified as a Great Place to Work by the Great Place to Work Institute. The Great Place to Work Institute is a global authority on high-trust, high-performance workplace cultures. Through its certification programs, Great Place to Work recognizes outstanding workplace cultures and produces the annual Fortune 100 Best Companies to Work For. Shell Point is proud to be 29th in the list of Lee County’s Top 100 Employers.

We employ one-thousand, one-hundred, forty-five people in a wide variety of positions including healthcare, administration, construction and trades, dining and hospitality, transportation, sales and marketing, resident life, housekeeping, landscaping and grounds, maintenance and more.

To evaluate Shell Point’s workplace performance culture, the Institute recently conducted a survey of Shell Point’s employees, evaluating their experiences on the job.

Findings from the survey revealed that Shell Point employees feel a sense of pride in the organization’s community impact, they believe that their work

4

Shell Point Life | May/June 2021

makes a difference, and that their work has special meaning. Many employees feel that Shell Point’s ministry is an extension of their own. They like the idea that what they are doing is more than just a job.

In fact, 80% of Shell Point’s employ-

Certified

MAR 2021–MAR 2022 USA

ees who participated in the survey say it is a GREAT place to work as compared to 59% of employees at other typical U.S.based companies. Not only did employees report job satisfaction, the survey revealed that our diverse workforce stays with the community much longer, which creates excellence and consistency.

Shell Point has a respected, 53-year history in Lee County of caring, serving and satisfying both our residents and employees.

We believe that happy employees equal happy residents and we are pleased that Shell Point has been formally designated as a Great Place to Work!

Shell Point, which provides 1,145 jobs, is proud to rank 29th in Lee County’s Top 100 Employers.

Shell Point Life | May/June 2021

5

Frank Blaze (left) and Guy Rhoades (right)

6

Shell Point Life | May/June 2021

College Buddies Reunite at Shell Point

With Guy Rhoades’ move to Shell Point in 2017, and Frank Blaze’s move in 2019, the two former college roommates are now once again living in the same location after nearly 65 years.

BY LYNN SCHNEIDER

Making new friends is easy for residents moving into Shell Point.

After all, you are suddenly living among approximately 2,500 people who share a number of similarities, common interests and life stories. In fact, many residents have compared moving into Shell Point as being similar to when they went off to college. This is especially true for two men, Frank Blaze and Guy Rhoades, who first met in the fall of 1955 when they became roommates at South Dakota State College, and were recently reunited when they both moved to Shell Point.

The Early Years Frank Blaze grew up in the small town of Fort Pierre in South Dakota. His father, Franklin Blaze, was a carpenter and his mother, Louise, was a cook in a restaurant. Frank met his future wife, Beverly Whitney, in the first grade of their small hometown school, Fort Pierre Elementary and High School, which as the

Frank Blaze

Frank Blaze (left) and Guy Rhoades (right) met at South Dakota State College where they shared a dorm room back in the mid1950s.

only school in town, included grades K through 12 in the same building.

Frank played all the sports because, as he puts it, “You participated in all the sports whether you were good or not because it was a small town and they needed every player they could get.” Frank excelled in track and field where he set a state record for the shot put, and in football where he received a scholarship to attend South Dakota State College in 1955.

Meanwhile, Guy Rhoades was born in LeMars, Iowa to Everett and Bernice Rhoades.

In 1950, when Guy was 14 years old, his father moved the family to Avon, South Dakota, when he took a job with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to work on the construction of the Fort Randall Guy Rhoades Dam on the Missouri River.

Guy’s mother taught school in Avon for a couple of years until a teaching position opened in nearby Pickstown, Continued on next page Shell Point Life | May/June 2021

7

COLLEGE BUDDIES REUNITE AT SHELL POINT Continued from page 7

South Dakota, which was a small town built near the dam construction site by the Corps for the workers who were hired to build the dam. In 1952, the family moved from Avon to Pickstown in the summer before Guy’s sophomore year.

During high school, Guy participated in a number of sports including football, basketball and track. He also played the trombone in the high school band.

“Pickstown was a very unusual place,” said Guy. “It was made up of people from all over the country, primarily skilled workers

and engineers who came to build the dam.

It gave a young kid like myself the ability to see beyond the borders of South Dakota.

It was because of the heavy engineering influence in Pickstown that I developed an interest in engineering.”

Guy met his future wife, Sandy Roper, in the summer of 1953 and the couple dated in high school. In 1955, he graduated from high school with a track and field scholarship to South Dakota State College.

The College Years On Frank’s first day at SDSC, he was the first to arrive at the men’s dorm. “Our dorm was a very small room with built-in bunks along one wall. After unpacking, I

was relaxing on the bottom bunk when my new roommate came in. I just pointed up to the top bunk, and said, ‘that’s yours.’”

Frank and his new roommate, Guy Rhoades, soon discovered they had much in common. Both were at the school on athletic scholarships and both were studying engineering. Both participated in college football and track. “The coaches paired us up because we were both in sports and pursuing engineering as our majors,” said Guy. College life kept the two young men busy. Frank, a fairly large guy, was the state high school shot put champion where he set a long-standing state high school record for the event. He was a starting tackle on the college football

FRANK

Beverly and Frank Frank (R) set a state high school record in shot put.

#42 Frank Blaze

8

Shell Point Life | May/June 2021

Frank met his future wife, Beverly Whitney, in the first grade of their small hometown school in Fort Pierre, South Dakota.

Frank and Beverly got married in 1959 following college graduation.

GUY Guy played football in high School and college.

Guy set records in high and low hurdles in high school and college.

Guy met his future wife, Sandy Roper, in high school and the couple dated through out college.

Sandy Roper

“The coaches paired us up because we were both in sports and pursuing engineering as our majors.” team all three of his varsity years. While Guy, who was the state high school high and low hurdle champion, set the alltime high hurdle record for colleges in South Dakota and was on the college team that established the sixth best time in the nation for the high hurdle shuttle relay.

Starting Careers and Settling Down Frank, who had met his girlfriend Beverly in the first grade, continued to date her throughout college. Beverly was also attending South Dakota State where she was taking classes to become an RN.

Homecoming King and Queen

The couple graduated in early June and on June 21, 1959 they got married. On their honeymoon, they drove to East Hartford, Connecticut, where they settled down for five years. Frank started a job as a mechanical engineer at Pratt & Whitney Aircraft Engines in East Hartford from 1959 through 1965 where he developed and tested aircraft engines, while Beverly worked as a nurse at the local hospital. The couple had three children: Lori in 1960, William (Bill) in 1961, and Larry in 1962. In 1965, they moved to Cincinnati, Ohio where Frank took a job with General Electric’s aircraft engine division to develop and test airContinued on next page Shell Point Life | May/June 2021

9

Both men worked at General Electric, but in different states and divisions.

COLLEGE BUDDIES REUNITE AT SHELL POINT Continued from page 9

craft engines until his retirement in 1993.

Beverly was working at the local behavioral health facility, Longview State Hospital where she retired in 1996.

Guy’s high school sweetheart, Sandy, was attending the University of South Dakota in Vermillion, but the couple stayed in touch long-distance and following graduation in 1959, they were married on June 10, 1959. For their honeymoon, the couple drove to Omaha, Nebraska for the NCAA Track Meet before heading to Chicago where Guy, as an electrical engineer, joined General Electric’s Technical Marketing Program for a three-month assignment.

Upon completion of the short-term assignment in Chicago, GE moved the couple to Fort Wayne, Indiana. Guy continued working for GE and Sandy taught elementary school as a substitute teacher, which allowed her flexibility in raising their two boys, Brad born in 1960 and Brian in 1963.

From November 1959 until January of 1975, Guy worked in both marketing and engineering in GE’s electric motor

business. In 1975, the family moved to Cleveland, Ohio, where he became the district sales manager for Ohio, Eastern Pennsylvania, Buffalo, New York and Detroit, Michigan. In 1978, the family moved again with GE, this time back to Fort Wayne, where Guy became marketing manager for one of the GE businesses headquartered in the city. This new job required travel all over the United States.

In 1983, he became general manager of one of GE’s national sales organizations

and continued in various general manager assignments with profit and loss responsibility. At retirement, he was responsible for one of GE’s global businesses with manufacturing operations in the United States, Mexico, India and Singapore. He retired in January 1997.

Retirement Prior to retirement, Frank and Beverly had been visiting Sanibel Island since 1972 for the shelling. In 1997, they decided to move to Sanibel fulltime where they purchased a home on Robinwood Circle at the west end of the island. There they enjoyed shelling, walking the beach, taking care of the yard, reading and visiting the Sanibel Library.

GUY

Guy and Sandy June 1959.

10

Shell Point Life | May/June 2021

FRANK

Frank and Beverly June 1959.

They joined the Sanibel Congregational Church, which they still attend.

Coincidentally, Guy and Sandy started spending part of the year at the Landings Community in Fort Myers. “When I was working in 1992, we took a vacation to Sanibel Island for a week. It rained the whole time,” said Guy. “We drove into the Landings and ended up buying a condo, but we didn’t really have time to enjoy it until I retired in 1997. We started coming down for three months at a time and that eventually grew to 7 months. In 1999, we bought a house in The Landings on the river.”

Both Frank and Guy retired from General Electric; Frank in 1993 and Guy in 1997.

However, they had lost touch during their busy working years. The two reconnected while working on a fundraising project for the college, which was now South Dakota State University and later they attended annual college alumni gatherings in Fort Myers.

Guy and Sandy Move to Shell Point In December 2017, Guy and Sandy moved to The Estuary at Shell Point. “We

had known about Shell Point for years,” said Guy. “I got to thinking more about it as we crossed the “80” line and I have always been a believer that you need to plan ahead.”

Guy and Sandy have made many friends in The Estuary and enjoy the active lifestyle at Shell Point. “My time is mainly taken up with biking, walking and working out at the health club,” he said. The couple attend Faith Methodist Church on McGregor.

In 2020, Guy completed a project to self-publish his 602-page lifetime memoirs, after taking a class here at Shell Point. Guy has just finished another project, writing the history of the building of the town of Pickstown and the construction of the Fort Randall Dam on the Missouri River and has now published it in a 258page book. Guy has been immersed in the history of the town since 2014, when he helped construct the Pickstown and Fort Randall Museum. “I worked on the dam in the summers as a high school kid, so I have a special interest,” said Guy. “I have been on the computer every morning pulling together the history of building the

town and building the dam. It kept me busy during Covid!”

Frank and Beverly Move to Shell Point Frank and Beverly decided to move to Shell Point in May 2019. They chose The Island and are enjoying their home in Periwinkle. “We made a good investment,” said Frank. “I convinced Bev that this would be a good decision for us so that the kids don’t have to worry about us. They can come visit whenever they want and they know that things are all handled and they don’t have to worry.”

“The grandkids have been here a few times. Our son Bill and one granddaughter live locally, so we get to see them often. Our other son Larry recently retired and they have a camper, so they come down to a local campground nearby and we get to see them for a week at Christmas. Our daughter and the girls will come down once Covid is done.

The kids love visiting and they just love going to the beach. It has been great for our entire family.” n Shell Point Life | May/June 2021

11

BUILD IT AND THEY WILL COME

Special Houses Provide a Home to Purple Martins B Y LY N N S C H N E I D E R

E

ach year, Shell Point welcomes back some very special guests to The Island – a growing colony of purple martins. The songbirds, which begin arriving in early January, depend entirely upon a group of dedicated Shell Point volunteers to maintain suitable accommodations during their stay.

It all began in 2015, when Jerry and Jean Becker moved into Periwinkle on The Island.

The couple, who are dedicated bird watchers, wanted to attract purple martins to Shell Point and the only way possible was to erect a group of special bird houses designed specifically for that purpose.

THE EARLY DAYS

Jerry and Jean Becker of Periwinkle

12

Shell Point Life | May/June 2021

the farmers had hand-built housing designed for purple martins. The martins were known to consume many flying insect pests.”

In 1946, immediately following high school, Jerry shipped out in the Navy, to serve on the USS Indiana battleship, which carried three “Kingfisher” float planes, and a crew of 2,500 hundred officers and enlisted men.

After returning to civilian life, Jerry worked for Motorola in Chicago. “Later, no matter where I lived, I would start a purple martin colony, if possible,” said Jerry.

Jerry on the USS Indiana

Jerry Becker, a veteran of World War II, explains how his fondness for the birds goes all the way back to his childhood. “I was introduced to purple martins when I was growing up as a teenager in a farming community called Holdingford, in Central Minnesota in the 1940s,” said Jerry. “Most of

TWO BIRDS OF A FEATHER

Fast forward to the 1990s following Jerry’s retirement from Motorola.

Jerry was living in Englewood, Florida and was now working for the Parks department in Venice. Jerry loved being outdoors and spent as much time as he could hiking and bicycling in state and national parks.

Jerry met Jean when the two were both

taking a Florida Bird Tour that was organized through an adult education program at the local college. Jerry and Jean both showed up at the group meeting point near the suspension bridge in St. Petersburg. As the group started to split up into the various vehicles for the tour, Jerry rode in Jean’s car.

During the course of the tour they talked about various hiking locations in Myakka River State Park and Jerry invited Jean to join him on a hike later that month.

It was clear from the start they had much in common. Jean was an avid photographer, and both Jean and Jerry enjoyed adventure wilderness travel. The couple immediately hit it off and were married in December 1992. In 1994, they purchased a home in Venice and naturally, Jerry’s first project was to install a purple martin house in their front yard.

For more than a decade, the couple pursued their passion for nature and travel by working as volunteers to provide back country maintenance clearing trails in various state and national parks and forests throughout the country. This gave them the opportunity to see some of the most beautiful natural sites in America.

LANDING AT SHELL POINT In March of 2015, the couple moved into Periwinkle at Shell Point. Their new home looked out at the Caloosahatchee River and the first thing Jerry thought of was a purple martin house. “Martins prefer large clear areas near bodies of water,” said Jerry. “It was a perfect location.”

Jerry was granted permission from Shell Point management, to establish a Purple Martin Habitat on The Island overlooking the Caloosahatchee. Jerry, and a group of volunteers, erected the original pole with the first set of gourds in 2015 and then waited. “That first year, a small group of five birds showed up, later there were ten, and now there are about 40-50 birds.

“The birds here at Shell Point migrate from Brazil every year,” he explained. “The first are called scouts. They come back in early January. Then the rest of the male birds follow them in the middle of February.

The females come last and then they start nesting. It’s amazing how many residents look forward to the arrival of the purple

martins after their long migration trip. The martins are also happy to see their housing is up and clean as you can witness by their activity and chattering when they arrive in the spring. Watching the purple martins is a lot of fun, because the birds are constantly swooping and diving as they try to catch the flying insects that make up their diet.”

ABOUT PURPLE MARTINS Purple martins are one of the largest species of the North American Swallow.

Mature male martins are dark, glossy and purplish-blue in color while younger males and females have gray bellies and collars.

As migratory birds, their small, compact bodies are built for flight. Purple martins spend the colder months down in the South American rainforests and then travel around 5,000 miles in a three week period to get to the various regions of the country where they spend the rest of the year. Once the birds adopt a nest, they tend to fly back to the same nest year after year.

Continued on next page

In 1992, Jerry and Jean Becker served as volunteer workers at Olympic National Park where they provided back country maintenance and cleared trails.

Jerry building a birdhouse in his garage in 2009.

The couple visited Griggsville, Illinois, which claims to be the Purple Martin Capital of the World and features a tall tower in the center of town.

Jerry erecting a purple martin house in his front yard in Venice.

Shell Point Life | May/June 2021

13

BUILD IT AND THEY WILL COME Continued from page 13

A NEW LANDLORD The individual who puts up or maintains a purple martin house is commonly referred to as the “Landlord.” From the beginning, Jerry served as the landlord, and once the purple martin houses were established, it took a committee of volunteers to help maintain the small artificial gourds. In 2020, Jerry was ready to step down as the committee chair and the committee needed a new landlord to help lead the way. Carol Sperlak had just started as Shell Point’s volunteer coordinator.

“This was my first volunteer project to work on,” said Carol Sperlak, who had recently joined Shell Point in 2020. “I met resident Jean Becker in the administrative courtyard during my first week here and as we were talking she told me all about the purple martin project and how they visit Shell Point. For a few minutes I was a little confused because I thought she was saying purple Martians and I didn’t know what to think! But then I realized she was talking about birds and it was fascinating. I’ve learned a ton of information from Jean and

14

Shell Point Life | May/June 2021

PURPLE MARTIN VOLUNTEERS Seated: Jerry Becker (Periwinkle.) Standing L to R: Kitty Kern (Royal Bonnet), “Assistant Landlord” Dr. Alan Cragg (Tellidora), Jean Becker (Periwinkle), “Landlord” John Pryor (Harbor Court), Skip Gray (Macoma), Dawn Boren, director of resident programming and Carol Sperlak, volunteer coordinator. Other committee members not pictured include: Jay Bubb (Parkwood) and Doug Wicks (Lucina).

The best time to observe the purple martins is during the morning hours when they are socializing around the gourds. They leave in the afternoons to feed on flying insects located over mangroves and swamps. The birds return around sunset to their homes.

babies. At the end of the seaJerry since then. It is fun to see the Traditionally, the poles are put son, the volunteers lower the birds come here and then have their up in January before the arrival poles, remove the gourds and babies. I have really learned a lot.”

Shortly afterward Carol met Jean, of the birds and then taken down thoroughly clean them before putting them into storage for she learned that the purple martin when the birds leave in July. the remainder of the year. committee needed a new landlord.

John and Judy lived on Carol put a notice in the Weekly Reminder and Judy Pryor saw it and gave Becker. There are two new poles and Sanibel for 18 years before coming to each one holds 12 gourds for a total of Shell Point. Previously, they lived in it to her husband, John.

“When I saw the volunteer informa- 24,” he said. “What makes this particular Westchester County in Bedford, New tion, I wanted to help,” said John Pryor gift so unique is that the original poles York for many years right next door to of Harbor Court. “Carol gave me a little were stationary and required ladders to a 100-acre Audubon preserve. John toolkit that had been assembled by the reach the top. The new poles have a installed a number of bluebird houses at previous chairman of the committee and hand winch that allows the houses to be their home and one for purple martins.

Three years ago, John and Judy I was soon introduced to the other com- raised and lowered from the ground by mittee members. We are very fortunate one person. This makes putting up and moved to Shell Point. “This has been to have people who are willing to give taking the down the houses during the one of the best moves we have ever of their time. Traditionally, the commit- purple martin season so much easier for made,” said John. “It has been fun for me to get involved. The entire committee is tee will put the poles up in January before the committee members to manage.”

Each year, the volunteers raise the an impressive group of people.” the arrival of the birds and then take them “When Judy and I walk here every gourds in early January. They spread a down when the birds leave in July.”

“This year it was decided to replace special nesting material at the base of the day, we enjoy seeing other people stop to the original installation and put up new poles to make it easier for the birds to par- watch the birds and they really apprecipoles and gourds, which was generously tially fill the inside of the gourds to cre- ate what the purple martins bring to Shell underwritten by a gift from Jerry and Jean ate the nest where they will hatch their Point. It is wonderful to see them. n Shell Point Life | May/June 2021

15

Wolfgang Kraft

The Times of His Life

BY BARBARA HILL FREEMAN

16

Shell Point Life | March/April 2021

W

hen Wolfgang Kraft of Harbor Court decided to chronicle the first 25 years of his life, he already had a few things going for him.

He was a published author with a prodigious memory and a treasure trove of great photos. And, perhaps most importantly, he had a fascinating story to tell. So, at the behest of his daughters, Heidi and Marci, he wrote and published This Is My Life, a book of recollections of his childhood in Leipzig, Germany during and after World War II, his family’s escape from East Germany, and his path to success in postwar America.

Born in Leipzig in 1939, Wolf was just two months old when war was declared, immediately following Germany’s massive Blitzkrieg invasion of Poland. Among Wolf’s earliest memories are nightmare-inducing air raids and the sight of burning buildings. His father was absent from the time he was very young, but fortunately, his mother Hertha was a strong and determined woman who had the resourcefulness and intelligence necessary to help Wolf and his older brother, Günter, survive. For safety’s sake, Hertha

took her sons to live outside the city, but they returned to Leipzig when the war ended. The city was in ruins. The Krafts’ apartment building had been damaged slightly; but few were as fortunate. The populace, comprised mostly of women, children, and old men, was faced with the enormous task of recovery and rebuilding.

Following Germany’s unconditional surrender on May 8, 1945, the Allies divided Germany into four military occupation zones – France in the southwest, Britain in the northwest, the United States in the south, and the Soviet Union in the east. Leipzig was designated as part of the Soviet sector of East Germany and the Iron Curtain was drawn. The Cold War was underway and Wolf and his family were at the heart of it.

A Calculated Risk In 1953, his small family undertook a perilous escape from East Germany.

The complicated arrangements required months of planning by Hertha, who wanted a better life for her and her sons, with the ultimate goal of living in America.

Two-year old Wolf on the right of his mother and brother.

Wolfgang would return to Germany many times to photograph everyday scenes to illustrate his Deutsch Aktuell German language textbooks, like this scene of a marketplace at Old Town Hall in Leipzig.

Before their escape, they whittled down their belongings to twenty carefully packed boxes that would be sent to West Germany, awaiting their arrival. “We didn’t dare post the boxes from a single location, so we mailed them two at a time from ten different post offices in Leipzig,” says Wolf. “Half of the boxes made it.”

Continued on next page Shell Point Life | May/June 2021

17

THE TIMES OF HIS LIFE Continued from page 17

For fear of being exposed and arrested, Hertha impressed upon her teenage sons the need for absolute secrecy. She shared her plans with only a handful of the family’s most trusted friends.

As they began their journey by train to East Berlin, purportedly on their way to a vacation, the trio had to be sure they had nothing in the belongings they brought on board that would raise red flags. The seriousness of their situation was borne home when a fellow passenger was removed by officers after they inspected her luggage and found a letter from America.

Careful planning paid off: The Krafts made it to East Berlin without incident; took a subway to West Berlin; and, when cleared a few weeks later, flew from there to Hamburg. It would be three more years until they were approved for travel to the United States.

In May of 1956, they were among the 1,200 passengers who left Bremerhaven, Germany, on the General W.C. Langfitt, a freighter refitted to carry immigrants.

One of Wolf’s photos is of a distant Statue of Liberty, taken on May 26 as the ship entered New York Harbor.

Freighter General W.C. Langfitt

The Krafts were sponsored by the Lutheran World Federation that assigned them to live in Minnesota – a place they had to locate on a map since they’d never heard of it. Hertha was obligated to work and had accepted a job in Minneapolis, but Wolf and Günter were sent to live with a family 45 miles away, in Northfield.

In the U.S.A. As a German in the United States just a decade after the end of the war, Wolf says, “I expected to find some bias, but it was fine.

18

Shell Point Life | May/June 2021

Wolf student teaching German at West High School in Minneapolis in 1960.

date on August 29, 1964.

Northfield was a college We had a total of 65 dates, town; people were interwere engaged on December ested in me as a German, 5, and married on April 10 the and I was interested in following year. This German them. I worked in a grocery didn’t waste any time!” store and made it a point While teaching German to go to a lot of movies and in another high school in watch TV, so I picked up Minnesota in the mid-sixties, English really fast.”

Wolf did some recordings for After finishing high EMC, a St. Paul-based comschool, Wolf was accepted pany that provided into the University audio for publishers of Minnesota. He “I taught for a year to include in their simultaneously earned BS and BA using my manuscript. foreign-language proIn 1966, EMC degrees in 1961, I copied it and made grams. asked him to join the with an emphasis on languages and audio recordings for company, which was slowly getting into math. He then the students.” publishing. “I was in embarked on a charge of the German long-anticipated driving tour of Europe that began with recordings, which meant I was in the picking up a pale-blue VW Beetle that was studio when they were recorded and also shipped back to the states at the end of edited the German-language materials,” his trip. In 1964, he went on to receive recalls Wolf. “When I left teaching to a master’s degree while teaching high work for EMC, I thought, I can write a better textbook than what’s on the marschool German.

Upon returning from his second trip to ket,” He got to work on the book, “basiEurope, Wolf focused on renting an apart- cally as a hobby,” and was soon able to ment and getting a teaching job. He dated a put his theory to the test. In 1968, when bit, but then came an encounter that would accepting a job teaching a beginner-level change his life. With characteristic atten- class at a local college, he stipulated that tion to detail, Wolf recounts as if it were he could use his own textbook.

“I taught for a year using my manuscript,” yesterday, “Rosie and I met on a blind

series was published in 1978. “We weren’t sure whether it would be better for high schools or colleges, so we did a soft-cover edition for colleges and a hard-cover edition for high schools,” explains Wolf.

Later editions were for high schools only.

During this period, Wolf was promoted to Vice President and Publisher, a position he held until his retirement in 2005.

The Deutsch Aktuell textbook started as an idea early in Wolf's teaching career, when he thought, "I can write a better textbook than what’s on the market."

Tension in the East

he says. “I copied it and made audio recordings for the students.” The experiment was a success, but Wolf needed up-to-date photos to illustrate the vocabulary and concepts he presented. “I was very lucky,” he says. A friend who was a teacher and was married to a German woman needed to justify a sabbatical he was about to take. “They went to Germany, and for a half year he took many photos for the multi-media program, which were people and family oriented.”

When complete, the program met with an enthusiastic response from EMC. To bring it to market, Wolf helped develop what was known as a sound-filmstrip program. It was a multi-media production for three levels of German-language study, with reel-to-reel tapes, filmstrips, booklets for students, and a teacher’s guide. He had two co-authors for the level-three program.

Anyone who studied German in school might very well have used one of the textbooks he wrote – Deutsch Aktuell.

They are, after all, the number-one German-language textbooks in American high schools and are also used in schools for dependents on U.S. military bases here and abroad. It’s been five years since publication of the seventh edition, and Wolf is currently working on the eighth.

Wolf and Rosie lived in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area and built two houses in the suburb of Woodbury. Rosie taught elementary school for a year or so but left that career behind to raise their daughters. When the girls were old

enough, Rosie got her real estate license and embarked on a new career.

A Rare Opportunity When sales of the sound-filmstrip program began to wane, EMC asked Wolf to produce a textbook series using the same philosophy and guidelines. He says, in order to make this new textbook series unique, “I wanted to include pictures of life in East Germany, not just buildings.”

When he met a representative from East Germany at a foreign-language conference, he broached the idea of a visit to take pictures. In 1978, he received permission from the East German Foreign Press Office to visit East Germany and take photos related to topics in the new textbook.

Even though movement in the East was usually tightly controlled, the Krafts had opportunities to “wander around” in the cities they visited. “When I came to my hometown of Leipzig, I wanted to look up an old friend,” says Wolf. He made a surprise visit to a man he hadn’t seen in twenty-five years. The visit had to be unannounced because he couldn’t put the arrangements in writing for fear of getting his friend in trouble.

The first edition of the Deutsch Aktuell textbook

Wolf made additional visits to East Germany for each of the next two editions, in 1983 and 1989. The latter trip was just four months before the Berlin Wall came down. It was a tense time. As he recalls, “I was standing in the beautiful market square in Leipzig taking pictures when all of a sudden my guide whispered, “Put your camera down!” They watched as the police advanced on a musician and took him away in a truck. Within a few minutes, a couple hundred people gathered and began singing “We Shall Overcome,” in English.

At the time, Wolf didn’t think the wall would come down in his lifetime.

He explains that the Peaceful Revolution started in Leipzig, where as many as 100,000 marched in peaceful protest of the wall and the separation of East and West Germany.

Time to Travel Between publications of the various editions of Deutsch Aktuell, the Krafts took advantage of whatever down time they had. After the 7th edition, for example, Wolf taught beginner German for a semester at Florida Gulf Coast University.

Often, the free time was an opportunity to travel. In their more than 55 years together, Wolf and Rosie have visited all 50 states.

The last three were Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont.

“We’ve also been on 53 cruises,” says Wolf. “We love to travel all over the world. Our most recent cruise was to South America in January 2020.”

The couple last visited Germany in 2019. Wolf has Wolf and Rosie on one of their cruises in 1994.

Continued on next page Shell Point Life | May/June 2021

19

THE TIMES OF HIS LIFE Continued from page 19

kept in touch with some of his childhood friends and met up with them on their travels. When he was 35 years old, he located his father through the German embassy.

At first, Horst Kraft rebuffed Wolf’s efforts to meet, but eventually they got together.

Wolf even met his step-mother and half-siblings.

Of their adventures all over the world, the Krafts’ favorites were their three safaris in Africa. To celebrate their fiftieth anniversary, they took their two daughters and three granddaughters to Tanzania, where they particularly enjoyed meeting members of a variety of tribes and even went hunting with one group. When Wolf was with his wife, daughters and granddaughters, he always joked that he felt like the “Lone Wolf.”

The couple’s travels have left them with a collection of meaningful souvenirs, as well as a wealth of memories. They’ve dubbed their guest bedroom “The Africa Room,” which is reflected in the décor.

Wolf’s office contains an impressive collection of German beer steins and a beautiful chess set from southern Germany.

Life at Shell Point Fifteen years ago, when Wolf retired, the Krafts bought a house in the Grandezza area of Estero and became snowbirds, migrating north to Woodbury each summer. About three years ago, they sold their Minnesota home and moved to Florida year-round.

When they began looking into retirement communities, they took a tour of Shell Point, did their due diligence, and liked what they saw and learned. Adding to their conviction that Shell Point was right for them was a chance meeting with residents Jim and Shirley Fisher three years ago on a river cruise in France. The couple served as great ambassadors for the community.

The Krafts signed up for the Wait List, and an apartment that was just what they wanted became available in May of 2020.

The timing of the sale of their Estero home worked out well, and they were able to move to Shell Point almost immediately.

20

Shell Point Life | May/June 2021

The Krafts have two daughters and three granddaughters. Their grandfather often jokes that when all the women in the family get together, he’s the “Lone Wolf.”

Wolf and Rosie enjoy their Harbor Court home on The Island.

Rosie and Wolf love their spacious apartment with its broad view of water and gardens. They enjoy getting together with their new neighbors, even with social distancing, and look forward to hosting card parties. They have long been active members of the First Presbyterian Church in Bonita Springs.

Walking the 1.38-mile path around the Island every day keeps the Krafts fit; in fact, Wolf does the circuit twice.

They’re looking ahead to a time when they can take advantage of even more of the activities Shell Point offers. “We might take up pickleball,” says Wolf, inspired by neighbors who enjoy the game.

“The people here are so active.”

The Krafts have also enjoyed Shell Point’s Academy classes, including one entitled “the Berlin Story” presented by Anette Isaacs, the coordinator of The Shell Point Academy. Wolf was honored when, as a result of a conversation with Anette, she invited him to join her for lunch with the consul general of Germany when he visited Shell Point in October.

In This Is My Life, Wolf leaves his family of readers with some advice drawn from personal experience: “Explore your past, live your life to the fullest, and look forward to your future.” It reflects his life precisely and is wise counsel for all of us. n

Wolf is currently working on the 8th edition of Deutsch Aktuell.

The Library Thanks You B Y LY N N E C A S T E L L A N O ( S A N D D O L L A R )

On behalf of all of us at the Shell Point Library, a huge THANK YOU! to all of the residents who gave so generously to this year’s fund drive and helped us raise $39,249.

The Shell Point Library is totally supported through this annual event. In addition to the main location on the Island, we support the genealogy library and the libraries at the assisted living facilities. New purchases

are made every month to keep these wonderful libraries up to date and meeting the desires of the residents. In addition, many residents take advantage of the newspapers to which we subscribe. Our DVD collection is very popular and many folks love our audiobooks. We recently were able to pay for some of the furnishings in our newly remodeled location.

If you are not a member, just come to the Island location and request a card.

Once again, accept our gratitude for your overwhelming response to our annual drive. We are overjoyed!

The Larsen Pavilion Auxiliary Thanks You B Y A L I C E W E R T Z ( T H E E S T U A R Y ) P AV I L I O N A U X I L I A R Y P R E S I D E N T

Thank You!

We are excited to report the Larsen Pavilion Auxiliary has exceeded our Bakeless Bake Sale 2021 goal!

Thank You!

You have helped make it possible for us to fulfill the dedicated purpose of enhancing the lives of Shell Point residents and to support the

staff of the Larsen Pavilion.

Thank You!

It has been through your generous contributions that the Pavilion Auxiliary has been able to purchase new equipment, provide library books, magazines, and daily newspapers, and provide education scholarships for the healthcare staff.

Thank You!

As we move forward after the Covid 19 restrictions we will be able to expand many programs and touch lives of the Pavilion residents in new ways.

Thank You!

We volunteer with God’s guidance and continue to offer our services and loving work.

Participating in the Employee Christmas Fund is Easy Plan Ahead by Scheduling a Monthly Gift B Y P E T E A N D D AW N H E R R ( T U R B A N ) , C A M PA I G N C O - C H A I R S

Outdoors, the warm weather may feel like spring, but in our hearts, we are already thinking of Christmas! This year’s campaign, “Expressing Gratitude to Those Who Serve,” expresses the spirit of the Employee Christmas Fund. By giving through this annual fund, Shell Point residents say thank you for the dedicated way Shell Point staff carry out their mission to care for, serve, and satisfy those who live here. Residents’ contributions, collected throughout the year, are given to hundreds of qualified employees each December, making for a brighter and more joyous Christmas season.

Residents give as they are inspired, cou-

pled with what they can afford. Here’s a rule of thumb some people have used in the past for guidance: Because every day we see Shell Point employees – or the effects of their labors – it can be helpful to think of their service (and our donation) in terms of a 365-day year: $1 a day equals a donation of $365 $2 a day equals a donation of $730 $5 a day equals a donation of $1,825 Although some residents wait to make their one-time gift during the fall campaign; many prefer to set up an automatic monthly payment through their Shell Point

account. It’s easy to give. Use the donation form on the Shell Point Resident Website or contact the Finance Department at 239-454-2075 to set up a monthly charge to your Shell Point account. Of course, if you prefer to give by check, you can do so anytime throughout the year. You simply make your check payable to “Shell Point” and write “Employee Christmas Fund” on the memo line, then send it via Shell Point campus mail to Chris Ferrell in Finance.

Give what you can…it’s tremendously appreciated!

Shell Point Life | May/June 2021

21

Time to Reignite Your

B Y J E F F C O R Y, L E G A C Y F O U N D AT I O N

The events of the past year have altered life for each and every one of us. There was a time when life seemed more predictable, we had a routine. Now, all of a sudden, we don’t. Covid-19 may be a life change that not only has shaken up your daily pattern, but also your psyche.

You may feel confused, fearful, or even a bit down. You may feel like you’ve lost your sense of purpose. What do you do now?

Actually, the answer to that is entirely in your hands. And that’s a good thing.

If you feel you’ve lost your fire, there are plenty of ways to reignite it at Shell Point.

With all the time and freedom that retirement has to offer, you have total control over forging a new, purpose-driven identity.

Do you feel like your life is stuck in a rut? When you’re faced with the question “Where do I go from here,” you can rely on this list of tried-and-true mood boosters to give you a powerful sense of self. To uncover the keys to finding your purpose think about this:

Try Something

New

Self-discovery is a great way to unearth greater purpose and appreciation for life. Is there an activity you’ve always wanted to try — teach an Academy class, painting, pickle ball — but didn’t have the time? Is there a hobby or a skill you’re really good at that you’ve always wanted to develop further? It’s very hard to feel down when your brain is actively engaged in a pursuit you love. With the opening of the Tribby Arts Center, there has never been a better time to try something new at Shell Point!

22

Shell Point Life | May/June 2021

Purpose

Taking advantage of the mild weather, Acoustic Jam held their practice outdoors in the Island Park. The group primarily plays for the sheer fun of it, but there is a health benefit as well. Studies show that playing music provides a workout for the brain. Left to Right: Jean Becker (Periwinkle), dulcimer; Ernie Munsey (Turban), guitar; David Brooks (The Enclave), guitar; Doug Heatherly (Royal Bonnet), guitar Chuck Fuechsel (Parkwood), guitar and Don Fagnon (Harbor Court), banjo.

Let’s

Socialize

Over time, social isolation and loneliness can take a toll on your health. One of the most basic human needs is to feel that you belong and you’re part of something bigger than yourself. Regular human connection is a good way to prevent feelings of loneliness from taking a hold over your

life. Who do you have strong and reliable relationships with and how can you keep them going? Host a game night, get involved at church, attend a Shell Point group outing to the zoo, beach, or spend a day shopping and lunch with friends.

Remember, you own your schedule and how you fill it, so log some meaningful time with friends every week.

Open Your

Heart

Could pet adoption be the solution to uncovering a higher purpose? We’ve all heard the positive research about pet ownership and the benefits that a dog or cat can provide to their owners. Pets are a real form of stress relief, reducing not only blood pressure, but also lowering damaging stress hormones like cortisol, and boosting beneficial ones like oxytocin, the happiness hormone.

If you’re an animal lover, and can take on the responsibility of care, a dog or cat can be a fulfilling next step. Those daily walks and cuddles can certainly give you something to look forward to every day.

And, the new friends you meet on your walks and visits to the Shell Point Dog Park will bring you hours of enjoyment.

Volunteer

tiful birds in the waters surrounding Shell Point. Our community is awe-inspiring and, if you take the time to really connect with it, you’ll soon feel your stress and worry melting away.

Get

Organized

Tidying up can be a powerful way to freshen up your space. But it can also give you a sense of control and focus. Resist the urge to go room by room, which can make you feel overwhelmed. It’s best to go category by category. Start with your wardrobe. What clothes no longer fit your new lifestyle? Move on to books, sporting equipment, and kitchen tools. You may find treasures you didn’t know you had. And, your past “treasures” can help

others by simply donating them to the Community Thrift Store.

Get Moving

Want to stay ahead of the aging game and maintain a healthy weight? Make time to move. Short, but consistent, workouts can be your secret weapon to looking and feeling younger than your years. Even if you only exercise for 15-30 minutes a day, you can enjoy the benefits of a happier mood, a healthier heart, and a more fit body.

For extra bonus points, find a workout buddy. You’re more likely to stick with your daily walks, yoga session, or water aerobics class if you have a partner to keep you motivated. There are plenty of fitness and exercise activities to get involved in at Shell Point, whether in an organized class or on your own.

Embrace A

Just because you’re retired doesn’t mean you’re no longer needed. Volunteering for a cause close to your heart can help you build bonds with others, and see yourself as a person who can really make a difference in the community.

There are countless ‘causes’ where you can help in the local community and right here at Shell Point. To narrow down your choices, think about what you value and what you’re passionate about. Contact Carol Sperlak, Volunteer Coordinator to learn of volunteer opportunities like the Pavilion Auxiliary, library, gift shop, and so many more. The right fit is out there.

New Identity While it’s true that your past career gave you a sense of identity, life at Shell Point can reward you with a new one — one that is marked by freedom, creativity, and a different kind of joy. While the Covid-19 pandemic has many of us approaching life with a bit more fear; recognize your life at Shell Point for what it really is: a time of boundless opportunity to make new friends, to invest in others, and to enjoy a fulfilling purposeful life. All you have to do is take the first step.

Connect

We Are Here for You

with Nature It’s easy to feel refreshed and renewed when you’re surrounded by nature, so schedule some green time whenever you can. Enjoy the beauty of Shell Point by setting aside time to walk in your neighborhood, take a ride on the Suzy Q, visit the Orchid House and Butterfly Garden, and admire the beau-

Daily

Lynne Couser (Lucina) took advantage of an Activity Table that Resident Life set up last summer. She saw beads and craft supplies and thought maybe she could do something with them. Lynne turned the craft supplies into bracelets which she passed out to caregivers and nurses. Her volunteering to share her creations with others has been uplifting for her as well as others. Lynne says she truly found a new passion through this project.

If you try one or more of these activities but you’re still struggling, talk with a good friend or neighbor, your Healthy Living Coordinator or contact me by calling (239) 466-8484. Let’s have a cup of coffee and together help you discover your purpose for the next phase of life.

Shell Point Life | May/June 2021

23

May/June LifeQuest Happenings Six Dimensions: Physical • Emotional • Spiritual • Educational • Community & Social • Natural Environment CHECK THE WEEKLY REMINDER FOR UPDATES ON ANY CHANGES TO THE PROGRAMS LISTED IN THIS CALENDAR AS THINGS MAY CHANGE. For questions about upcoming events or activities, please contact any concierge desk. Unless otherwise noted, sign-up for each event will begin on the first business day of the month. If you are unable to attend a program that includes a fee, five business days’ notice is required to receive a refund.

6

AFTERNOON TEA AT BRAMBLES ENGLISH TEA ROOM THURSDAY, MAY 6 12:45 / 12:55 / 1:05 / 1:15 / 1:25 P.M. IS / WDL / EST / ENC / EP APPROXIMATE RETURN: 5:30 P.M. COST: $29 (GRATUITY INCLUDED) Ladies and gentlemen, prepare for an afternoon delight.

We will take pleasure in an afternoon tea party at Brambles English Tearoom on 5th Avenue in Naples.

An assortment of four finger sandwiches, three specialty teas, and a traditional English scone will be served for your enjoyment. Come along for this elegant experience and take some time to enjoy it with your friends.

24

Shell Point Life | May/June 2021

7

MOMS & MACARONS ON THE SUZY Q FRIDAY, MAY 7 3 SAILINGS: 9 A.M., 11 A.M., 2 P.M. DEPARTURE FROM DOCK | COST: $5 Celebrate Mother’s Day early with a beautiful cruise around Shell Point aboard the Suzy Q. While on board, enjoy some sweet treats and an even sweeter time with that special woman in your life. There will be 3 sailings; 9 AM, 11 AM and 2 PM. A festive photo booth will be set up on the dock, so you can commemorate this special day.

6

Mask required

12

Sign-up required; call a concierge desk: Island: 454-2282, Woodlands: 454-2054

Walking required

17

CANDLE MAKING CLASS WEDNESDAY, MAY 12 3 P.M. – 5 P.M. BANYAN BANQUET ROOM/CC COST: $35

It’s time to take a trip to the neighborhood grocery store that was brought to Fort Myers in early February. The staff at Trader Joe’s wear Hawaiian shirts, adding a relaxed, at-home island feel to the environment. The new store will feature artwork that pays tribute to local landmarks, attractions, and the city’s beauty. If you love food and exploring new products, that’s what you’re going to find at Trader Joe’s! There will not be a meal stop for this trip. Purchases are limited to what you can carry at one time.

BAILEY-MATTHEW’S NATIONAL SHELL MUSEUM TOUR THURSDAY, MAY 13 9:20 / 9:30 / 9:40 / 9:50 / 10 A.M. IS / WDL / EST / ENC / EP APPROXIMATE RETURN: 3:00 P.M. COST: $24 (LUNCH ON OWN) Jump into the world of mollusks as we take a trip to the beautiful National Shell Museum located on Sanibel Island for extensive education on molluscan growth, reproduction, feeding, habitats, just to name a few. This is a guided tour through the museum to see the mollusks in action, the exhibit hall tour, and touch pools.

We will be headed to The Clam Shack for some fresh New England seafood served in Southwest Florida. Walking will be required for this trip.

12

SHOPPING EXCURSION TO TRADER JOE’S MONDAY, MAY 17 12:30 / 12:40 / 12:50 / 1:00 / 1:10 P.M. IS / WDL / EST / ENC / EP APPROXIMATE RETURN: 4:30 P.M. COST: $6 (NO MEAL STOP)

Join Laurie Scott, the owner of Poured Candle as she shows you how to make your very own candle. She specializes in hand poured 100% natural soy candles that are chemical free and contain essential oils. Come and learn all about how she does it and make your very own candle to take home with you. This is a class you won’t want to miss!

13

Stairs

19

THE ARM CHAIR TOUR

BY TRUETOURS WEDNESDAY, MAY 19 10 A.M. – 11 A.M. CONNIE BROWN HALL/TRIBBY ARTS CENTER Join TrueTours of Fort Myers for a presentation of Fort Myers’ incredible history right here at Shell Point. A local historian who is as entertaining as he is knowledgeable will entertain and educate you during this hour long “tour.” Enjoy listening to the stories at the brand new Connie Brown Hall at The Tribby Arts Center.

19 Shell Point Life | May/June 2021

25

25

POPSICLES BY THE POOL

27

BEACH DAY

TUESDAY, MAY 25 1:30 P.M. – 3 P.M. ISLAND POOL/IS Stop by the Island Pool for a fun afternoon with your Resident Programming team! Enjoy a nostalgic Popsicle and the smooth sounds of Steely Pan, a local Steel Drum Player.

This will be a fun way to kick off the summer while staying cool under the sun.

THURSDAY, MAY 27 8:30 / 8:40 / 8:50 / 9:00 / 9:10 A.M. IS / WDL / EST / ENC / EP APPROXIMATE RETURN: 3:30 P.M. COST: $18 (ICE CREAM ON YOUR OWN) It’s time to soak up the sun and ride the tide! The group will head to Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park for a relaxing day in the sand. Bring a lightweight chair and your personal beach supplies. Contact Michelle Emmett at 239-454-2046 to place your boxed lunch order. We will be making a delicious stop at the Royal Scoop for a refreshing treat!

31

31

DAY OF HEROES MONDAY MAY 31 & TUESDAY, JUNE 1 SPTV CHANNEL 12 10 A.M., 2 P.M. AND 8 P.M. Join us on SPTV channel 12 as we celebrate Memorial Day and remember those we’ve lost in service and learn the true meaning of Memorial Day. Enjoy a prayer by Pastor David Pavey, a unique reading of the Pledge of Allegiance, a message from Jim Stapleton and ending with a patriotic sing-along. Please wear your remembrance poppy. Pick up a poppy at either The Woodlands or Island concierge desks.

3

TAPS ACROSS SHELL POINT MONDAY, MAY 31 3:00 P.M. SHELL POINT CAMPUS To honor those who made the supreme sacrifice for our country, the Musicians Guild Brass will sound Taps on Memorial Day, May 31. Taps will be sounded around the Shell Point campus starting at 3 p.m. When you hear Taps the tradition is to stand at attention and say a silent prayer for those who gave us our lives by giving theirs.

ITALIAN FEAST AT THE CRYSTAL THURSDAY, JUNE 3 5:30 P.M. – 6:30 P.M. THE CRYSTAL/IS COST: $25 ALL INCLUSIVE Join Resident Programming team for a night of dinner and music.

The Crystal Dining room will be transported back to the hills of Tuscany and the beautiful lights of Rome. Enjoy a menu featuring chicken Parmesan, pastas, breads, authentic desserts and much more. Listen to the smooth sounds of Michael Anthony as he sets the tone for this fun and scrumptious evening!

Memorial Day Weekend Sale Friday, May 28 and Saturday, May 29

50% OFF STOREWIDE! 26

Shell Point Life | May/June 2021

27

Mask required

9

11

Sign-up required; call a concierge desk: Island: 454-2282, Woodlands: 454-2054

THE BAGEL FACTORY TOUR WEDNESDAY, JUNE 9 9:30 / 9:40 / 9:50 / 10:00 / 10:10 A.M. IS / WDL / EST / ENC / EP APPROXIMATE RETURN: 1 P.M. COST: $3 (BREAKFAST/LUNCH ON YOUR OWN) This family-owned “Mom and Pop” shop serves the community with the freshest bagels in town. You will get a behindthe-scenes look at how the bagels are kettle-boiled, then placed on burlap covered redwood boards, flipped onto the tray, and baked to golden perfection. You will be able to taste the delicious creations yourself! This tour is limited to 14 people so sign up as soon as possible to reserve your spot.

Walking required

16

Get ready to beat the heat with this fun and educational workshop with Katie Owen, owner of SOL Flowers. Create a beautiful and bright summer floral arrangement that you can take home! Your Resident Programming Team will be on hand to assist you in making your arrangement. Pick up a new summer skill while enjoying light desserts and a great time with friends and neighbors.

9

THE REVS INSTITUTE FOR AUTOMOTIVE RESEARCH WEDNESDAY, JUNE 16 10:30 / 10:40 / 10:50 / 11:00 / 11:10 A.M. IS / WDL / EST / ENC / EP APPROXIMATE RETURN: 5 P.M. COST: $34 (LUNCH ON OWN) Tucked away in Naples, lies a hidden gem dedicated to the study, preservation, conservation, and restoration of historically significant automobiles. We will be stepping into another world at Revs Institute on a 2-hour guided tour learning about the rich historic materials and images that define the role of the automobile in society and sport.

We will first make a stop at Spanky’s Speakeasy for lunch before the tour.

SUMMER FLORAL CLASS FRIDAY, JUNE 11 10 A.M. SOCIAL CENTER/IS COST: $50

Stairs

18

FOOD TRUCK RALLY AT THE TRIBBY FRIDAY, JUNE 18 4 P.M. OUTSIDE DRIVE/TRIBBY ARTS CENTER Come out and enjoy the flavors of Southwest Florida right here at Shell Point. Multiple food trucks will be on hand for you to try and enjoy! A musician will be on hand playing smooth sounds while you stroll around the Tribby and enjoy what all the food trucks have to offer. Join us for this early Father’s Day celebration at The Tribby.

16 Shell Point Life | May/June 2021

27

Mask required

22

Sign-up required; call a concierge desk: Island: 454-2282, Woodlands: 454-2054

Walking required

Stairs

PRESIDENTS AND THEIR FIRST LADIES, DRAMATICALLY SPEAKING TUESDAY, JUNE 22 2:00 PM CONNIE BROWN HALL/TRIBBY ARTS CENTER Shell Point is excited to welcome back Bill and Sue Wills for Presidents and Their First Ladies, Dramatically Speaking. This time around they will be coming as Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt. Bill and Sue have spent the last 25 years researching 34 presidential couples!

They travel all over the United States doing presentations in communities, schools, libraries and National Parks. Join them to step back in time and learn more about the 32nd President of the United States.

22

SAVE THE DATE

“United We Stand” INDEPENDENCE DAY 2021 CELEBRATION MONDAY, JULY 5TH Join us as we celebrate our country’s independence with a parade, patriotic concert and 4th of July themed lunch.

Sign-up required for parade participation and patriotic concert. Sign-up begins May 1.

9:30 A.M. PARADE AROUND THE ISLAND Sign up your decorated golf cart or bicycle to be in this year’s “United We Stand” parade.

10:30 A.M. PATRIOTIC CONCERT/ THE VILLAGE CHURCH Join the Roadster Show Band as they lead us in a patriotic concert and sing-a-long. Sign up at either the Island or Woodlands concierge desk.

11 A.M. TO 1 P.M. BBQ THEMED LUNCH The dining team is serving up a 4th of July BBQ lunch with all of your favorite fixings! You will be able to dine in or call ahead for pick-up. Keep an eye on Shell Point TV and the Weekly Reminder for more information to come.

28

Shell Point Life | May/June 2021

SHELL POINT IS PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE THE SIXTH ANNUAL

2021 HEALTHCARE SPEAKER SERIES HIGHLIGHTS LEADING-EDGE MEDICINE

SIGN-UP REQUIRED

PRO BOLD 24PT

G, -50 KERNING

6PT, 0 KERNING

The Legacy Foundation is pleased to present the 2021 Medical Breakthroughs & Discoveries Series, an annual healthcare speaker series designed to share updates on the latest advances in medical research and healthcare practice.

The presentations are free, but sign-up is required by contacting the Legacy Foundation at (239) 466-8484 to register. Seating is limited; masks are required.

HEALTHCARE DELIVERY IN THE DIGITAL AGE

How Technology and Telehealth is Changing Healthcare in America Monday, May 10 at 2:00 p.m. • The Village Church Presented by: Dr. William Carracino and Jonathan Witenko Come learn: • What is telehealth? The benefits and limitations of telehealth.

• How telehealth is beyond just visiting your doctor on video (Remote Patient Monitoring)

• How Lee Health incorporated telemedicine to deliver safe and effective healthcare for patients, doctors and caregivers during Covid-19.

• Lee Health’s Telehealth journey starting in 2014 and plans for the future M E E T

T H E

• The ease of virtually connecting to your physicians • The future of virtual health for patients at home (Hospital at Home, Ambient monitoring)

S P E A K E R S

William J. Carracino, M.D. Lee Health Chief Medical Informatics Officer (CMIO) Dr. Carracino is a neurologist who currently is the CMIO of Lee Health in Fort Myers. His background is as a practicing, board certified neurologist initially in New Jersey and then in Southwest Florida for the last 25 years. During the tenure of

CMIO he achieved board certification in Clinical Informatics and manages a team of 40 IT professionals and physicians from the departments of Medical Informatics, Technology Education and Virtual Health/Telemedicine.

Jonathan Witenko, Lee Health System Director, Virtual Health & Telemedicine Jonathan Witenko, the System Director of Virtual Health & Telemedicine, has worked in healthcare IT at Lee Health for the last 10 years. With a background in computer engineering and master’s in business systems, Jon helped pioneer the Digital Health revolution

for Lee Health. Jon is extremely passionate about the industry as he personally experienced its value after his daughter’s trauma. Jon has become a thought leader and innovator in the virtual health space and has spoken at numerous conferences and seminars.

The Medical Breakthroughs & Discoveries Series is sponsored by:

UBS Financial Services Inc. Genesis Wealth Management

Shell Point Life | May/June 2021

29

At the Tribby

BY MICHAEL WEISS, FINE AND PERFORMING ARTS MANAGER

The studios at The Tribby are buzzing with activities, and we will be starting performances and gallery exhibitions. So stop by and check out what’s happening at the Tribby.

ART

Legacy Gallery Exhibition

Tribby Challenge Exhibition

SPARKLE: TAKING FLIGHT

HONORING MIKE KLEIN, JUNE LOCKHART & HERB SKLAR

TINY TEXTILES: FABRIC ARTWORKS BY SHELL POINT QUILTERS & NEEDLEWORK ARTISTS

MAY 6 – JUNE 2 THURSDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY 10 A.M. TO 3 P.M. THE SHELL POINT GALLERY The first in the seven-part SPARKLE series of exhibitions opens in May. Now through the end of 2021, each exhibition in the series will display artworks and texts in all genres

by Shell Point artists and writers.

The creative works TAKING FLIGHT of 139 residents will be presented, with works by 47 residents displayed in this first exhibition.

MAY 6 – JUNE 2 THE LEGACY & OVERLOOK GALLERIES Legacy Exhibitions will honor Shell Point residents who have made outstanding contributions to the arts at Shell point and/or have had distinguished careers in the arts.

SPARKLE: ON THE WATER JUNE 10 – JULY 7 TUESDAY THROUGH SATURDAY 10 A.M. TO 3 P.M. THE SHELL POINT GALLERY This second exhibition in the SPARKLE series will display works in all genres by Shell Point artists and texts written by Shell Point writers.

The creative works of 48 residents will be presented in ON THE WATER this exhibition.

JUNE 10 – JULY 7 THE LEGACY GALLERY This exhibition will feature works by quilters and other textile and fabric artists who were challenged to create 12" x 12" quilted or other textile artworks.

Tribby Challenge Exhibition

ALL IN THE DETAILS: IMAGES BY SHELL POINT PHOTOGRAPHERS JUNE 10 – JULY 7 THE OVERLOOK GALLERY This exhibition will feature the printed and digital works of photographers who were challenged to focus on a small detail of a larger object or scene.

The Inaugural Legacy Gallery Exhibition Opens Thursday, May 6!

You are invited to stop by the Tribby Arts Center to view their artwork.

The first Legacy Exhibition at Tribby Arts Center will honor three of Shell Point’s legendary artists: Mike Klein (Nautilus) known for his pottery and animal art; June Lockhart (Harbor Court), known for her varied pottery expertise, and for depicting the human form; and Herb Sklar (Eagles Preserve) known for his Academy art classes, photography, illustration and painting. The exhibit Honoring Mike Klein, June Lockhart & Herb Sklar will be on display May 6 through June 2.

30

Shell Point Life | May/June 2021

LIVE PERFORMANCES IN CONNIE BROWN HALL

PIETRO IANNOTI, PIANIST THURSDAY, MAY 27 AT 7 P.M. TICKETS: $30 CONNIE BROWN HALL After impressing Shell Point audiences in 2019, Pietro Iannoti is back to give the inaugural concert in Connie Brown Hall. Beethoven: sonata “Pathétique” Rachmaninov: Prelude op 23 no 5 and op 32 no 12, Etude op 39 no 5 and no 6, Chopin: Scherzo no 1, Scherzo no 2, Liszt: Transcendental etude “Harmonies du soir,” and Liszt-Verdi: Paraphrase on Rigoletto

DAVID CROHAN, PIANIST AMERICANA! MONDAY, JUNE 14 AT 7 P.M. TICKETS: $30 CONNIE BROWN HALL An evening of American popular music from “Yankee Doodle” to the present.

David Crohan began playing popular tunes by ear at age three. He attended New England Conservatory of Music, where he was awarded the Artist’s Diploma and Master of Music Degrees. Solo recitals, chamber music performances and concerto appearances with symphony orchestras followed.

MUSIC ON MONDAYS NOW ON THE BIG SCREEN IN CONNIE BROWN HALL

DANIEL BARENBOIM MONDAY, MAY 10 AT 1 P.M. CONNIE BROWN HALL Daniel Barenboim conducts the Berlin Philharmonic in a program of Nicolai, Elgar and Tchaikovsky. Every year on the first of May the Berlin Philharmonic celebrates the anniversary of its founding with a special concert. Barenboim conducts, 50 years after his debut with the orchestra. (2014) Free. Register at any concierge desk.

PIETRO IANNOTI

BEETHOVEN’S SYMPHONY NO. 9 MONDAY, MAY 24 AT 1 P.M. CONNIE BROWN HALL Claudio Abbado conducts the Berlin Philharmonic in this performance of Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9. (2001) Free. Register at any concierge desk.

IGUDESMAN & JOO’S HISTORICAL / HYSTERICAL GUIDE TO THE ORCHESTRA MONDAY, JUNE 7 AT 1 P.M. CONNIE BROWN HALL Join two of the funniest classical musicians in the business for a time-traveling journey through the history of each and every instrument of the orchestra!

Commissioned and premiered by the Tonhalle-Orchester Zürich for their 150th anniversary celebration concert, this remarkable work is filled to the brim with original music highlighting the different instruments, fascinating historical factoids, and the hilarious antics of Igudesman and Joo. Learn the answers to intriguing questions like, “What do mammoth bone and vulture wings have to do with flutes? Why were timpani played on horses?” And even, “Why were cellos made fatter than violins just around the same time as chocolate was brought over to Europe from Mexico?” A treat for music aficionados and music newbies alike. Free. Register at any concierge desk.

DAVID CROHAN

SIR SIMON RATTLE CONDUCTS THE BERLIN PHILHARMONIC MONDAY, JUNE 21 AT 1 P.M. CONNIE BROWN HALL A program of Brahms and Wagner with violinist Lisa Batiashvilli and cellist Truls Mørk. Every May the Berlin Philharmonic celebrates its founding with a special concert. The 2007 program highlighted works

by Wagner and Brahms dating from the orchestra’s early years. The program includes the prelude to Wagner’s opera Parsifal, two of Brahms’ most beautiful compositions: his Double Concerto for Violin, Cello and Orchestra, and his Fourth Symphony.

Music on Mondays can still be viewed on SPTV Channel 12 at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m.

Connie Brown Hall showings are free, however sign-up is required at any concierge desk.

Music on Mondays is underwritten by the Friends of the Tribby.

SERENDIPITY: THE SHOP AT TRIBBY ARTS CENTER TUESDAY THROUGH SATURDAY 10 A.M. TO 3 P.M. TRIBBY ARTS CENTER LOBBY Located inside the Shell Point Gallery, Serendipity will open for business on May 6 and feature works by Shell Point artists and craftspeople.

Shell Point Life | May/June 2021

31

Welcome to Connections Corner, a new section in Shell Point Life where you will find the latest offerings of education, events and information focused on being “proactive and preventive” in maintaining brain health through lifestyle approach.

An established partnership with the UCLA Longevity Center aligns our focus on the “Big 4” concept that focuses on diet, exercise, stress reduction and memory training. There is much health buzz around lifestyle changes and brain health.

Connections Café programs are targeted on what we currently know that is based on sound science with an emphasis on putting knowledge into personal action.

Wellness is not an absence of disease rather it is a dynamic personal movement toward well-being that Connections Café programs support.

In this special section – Caregivers Connections, residents have the opportunity to share their successful caregiving tips or “jewels.” It may be a “golden nugget” you say to get your loved one to attend the Day Retreat Program or maybe it is an activity to redirect your loved one’s attention when needed. Whether you think your tip is a diamond, emerald or ruby – all are valuable, so please share the wealth! Send your tip to emilyreese@shellpoint.org. Submissions are subject to review and editing.

Connections Circle is a support group

for Caregivers of loved ones with dementia. This group is a safe place for caregivers to share feelings, and to obtain and provide support, information, reassurance and encouragement. A respite group meets simultaneously for the person with dementia to participate in supervised activities while the caregiver attends Connections Circle.

Meetings are held the 3rd Wednesday of the month at The Woodlands in the Grand Cypress Room at 10 a.m.

Please contact Connections Program Coordinator, Emily Reese at (239) 454-2134 or emilyreese@shellpoint.org or Healthy Living Coordinator, Channelle Bastardo at (239) 433-7974 or channellebastardo@shellpoint.org to confirm attendance.

Nutrition and Brain Health

BY JANINE HAMMOND, DIRECTOR OF COGNITIVE AND BEHAVIORAL HEALTH

Making lifestyle changes can be challenging. Changing habits and well-established routines takes time and commitment. There is also the additional task of sifting through an ever-growing body of information to determine what changes would be best for you. How do you decipher valid science from fads? It’s best to consult with your doctor and follow evidence-based research.

If you’re considering dietary changes that promote brain health, here’s good news: research shows that the best brain foods are also the ones that protect your heart. Your entire body, including your brain, needs good nutrition for optimal functioning. The foods you’ve been hearing about for years related to heart health can also benefit your brain.

Research shows that diets rich in a variety of fruits, vegetables, legumes, whole grains, seafood, healthy fats and seeds are a great way to boost brain function.

Antioxidants Berries, grapes, watermelon, cocoa seeds and dark, 32

Shell Point Life | May/June 2021

leafy greens are great sources of antioxidants that protect the brain from oxidative damage, preventing premature aging and reducing age-related memory loss.

Monounsaturated Fats Avocados and olive oil are rich in monounsaturated fat that can help improve cholesterol levels when used in moderation in place of saturated fats.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids Fatty fish such as salmon and nuts, particularly walnuts, are rich sources of omega-3 fatty acids that lower triglycerides, improve vascular health, help moderate blood pressure and decrease blood clotting.

It’s great to know that eating well can also be delicious! However, before embarking on major dietary changes, it’s important to talk with your doctor to discuss your specific conditions. You may also consider an meeting with a registered dietitian or certified nutritionist with expertise in evidence-based medical nutrition counseling.

Support Groups

GRIEFSHARE

ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS

HEARING ENRICHMENT

THURSDAYS, MAY 6, 13, 20, 27; JUNE 3, 10, 17, 24 4:30 P.M. VIA ZOOM This is a fellowship of those who share their experience, strength, and hope with each other to solve their common problem and help others recover from alcohol addiction. This meeting of AA welcomes those who struggle with alcohol issues. For information, call the intergroup phone number (239) 275-5111.

WEDNESDAYS, MAY 26, JUNE 23 1:15 P.M. IN SOCIAL CENTER/IS Poor hearing can affect many aspects of one’s life. This group seeks to help residents cope with hearing loss, share information, learn about services and products that may help, and offer support to each other. This is a great opportunity to try out the assisted listening devices available in the Social Center. For information, call Robert Torres, healthy living coordinator at (239) 433-7975.

CAREGIVER SUPPORT – CONNECTIONS CIRCLE WEDNESDAY, MAY 19, JUNE 16 10:00 A.M. IN GRAND CYPRESS ROOM/WDL This group is for residents or family members caring for someone with dementia. Participants will connect with fellow caregivers, share ideas and discuss the challenges and rewards of providing care for a loved one. If there is a need for respite, a coinciding group offering supervised activities for your loved one with dementia is available. Pre-registration is required.

Contact Emily Reese, connections program coordinator, (239) 454-2134 or Channelle Bastardo, healthy living coordinator, (239) 433-7974 to register your loved one for the supervised activity program or questions about the group.

COPD SUPPORT THIS GROUP MEETS QUARTERLY. NEXT MEETING IS JULY 27 The objective of this group is to provide information and discussions that will be relevant to individuals with a range of breathing problems as well as those dependent on supplemental oxygen. Call Ken Peterson for further information at (239) 482-3779.

DIABETES SUPPORT FRIDAYS, MAY 7, JUNE 4 1:00 P.M. IN SOCIAL CENTER/IS Spouses or family members who are impacted by Diabetes are invited to attend the Diabetes Support Group. Each monthly meeting covers a different topic and includes an open discussion and an opportunity to share. Call Vivian Ciulla (239) 225-2929 for more information.

FAMILY GRACE MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT GROUP IS ON HIATUS AND WILL RESUME IN SEPTEMBER This group is for the spouse or family member of someone with a mental health issue. For information contact Bob Barger (630) 335-4077 or bbarger220@aol.com

NEXT SESSION BEGINS IN SEPTEMBER This is a thirteen-week program providing help and encouragement after the death of a loved one. GriefShare is a special weekly seminar and support group designed to help you rebuild your life.

We know it hurts and we want to help. Call Jim and Judy Mayer (Junonia) at (239) 454-3139 for information.

HEART HEALTHY MONDAYS, MAY 3, JUNE 7 10:00 A.M. IN MANATEE ROOM/IS This group provides support and educational information to individuals living with heart disease. The goal is to allow members to share their experience, fears and solutions in an effort to help everyone from the newly diagnosed to those managing heart disease for many years. For more information, contact Nola Mokeyane, healthy living coordinator at (239) 433-7976.

LIVING GRACE MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT GROUP IS ON HIATUS AND WILL RESUME IN SEPTEMBER This group is for people living with anxiety or depression. For more information, contact Bob Barger (630) 335-4077.

PARKINSON’S ENRICHMENT TUESDAYS, MAY 4, JUNE 1 10:15 A.M. IN SOCIAL CENTER/IS The Parkinson’s Enrichment Group aims to provide support and educational opportunities to those affected by Parkinson’s disease as a patient, caregiver, family member, or friend. Meetings include speakers, group discussions, and emotional support. For more information, call healthy living coordination at (239) 454-2299.

VISION ENRICHMENT TUESDAYS, MAY 11, JUNE 8 2:15 P.M. IN SOCIAL CENTER/IS This group provides educational opportunities and support for those individuals dealing with low vision. At each session, learn a “quick eye exercise” to utilize at home and share with others. Join us to share your story, knowledge and experiences with others. For information, contact Katy Quinones, healthy living coordinator at (239) 454-2101.

Shell Point Life | May/June 2021

33

34

Shell Point Life | May/June 2021

Shell Point Games a Resounding Success B Y D AW N B O R E N , D I R E C T O R O F R E S I D E N T P R O G R A M M I N G

On Tuesday, March 9, residents and staff gathered on The Island to take part in Opening Day of the 2021 Shell Point Games. The biennial event began with a dramatic opening ceremony overlooking the lagoon at Friendship Point.

This two-week celebration included competitors from all 25 courts and seven neighborhoods of the community.

The opening ceremony began with a triumphant anthem played by the ensemble of the Musician’s Guild Brass. Next was the Parade of Flags as residents from each court proudly carried their uniquely decorated flag to the front of the stage. Everyone lined up from the very first court to be built

at Shell Point, Tellidora, to the newest, most recent addition of The Enclave. It was a sight to see as the audience, dressed in their Shell Point Games T-shirts, cheered as their court was announced. All of the flags were judged by members of the executive team and were then displayed during the event in the Island Commons. Next came an ensemble of energetic Taiko Drummers took the stage to perform for the crowd and resident Council Chairman George Waters then declared the games officially open.

For the next nine days, Resident Programming team members were on their toes as they oversaw the more than 30 competitions held throughout the community

as residents competed in a variety of games and challenges to see which neighborhood would take home the gold.

On Tuesday, the first day of competition got underway. The first challenge was a Kayak Race in the waters surrounding The Island at Shell Point. Next up came fun, but highly competitive rounds of Boggle in The Island Commons, while in The Woodlands, residents launched their ships in the fast paced Model Yacht Races. That afternoon several residents participated in a Bean Bag Toss near the shuffleboard courts while inside The Island Commons there were Continued on next page Shell Point Life | May/June 2021

35

Shell Point Games a Resounding Success Continued from page 35

several tables of players competing in the first round of the Samba tournament.

Wednesday was a whirlwind of activity. Outdoor games included Shuffleboard, Tennis and Quoits, which is a traditional game that began in medieval England and involves the throwing of rings to land over a pin. Indoors, groups participated in games of Scrabble, Pinochle and Samba, a card game that is a variant of canasta.

Continued on next page 36

Shell Point Life | May/June 2021

Shell Point Life | May/June 2021

37

Shell Point Games a Resounding Success Continued from page 36

On the fourth day of the games, residents participated in various indoor challenges that included Bingo and table tennis, while outdoors, it was a beautiful day for sailing in the Model Yacht Races.

Day five included a 3K Timed Event and Fun Run on The Island. Additional competitions included Tennis, Table Tennis and a Short Game Golf Challenge. On Monday, the schedule was quite busy with Croquet, Billiards, Mah-Jongg, Basketball, Samba Finals, Duplicate Bridge and Pinochle.

By the second week, everyone was 38

Shell Point Life | May/June 2021

in full swing with Pickleball and Tennis at Center Court in The Woodlands, followed by Bocce, Scrabble, Maj-Jonng, Ladderball and the Samba Finals.

Next up were several indoor competitions including the Pandemic Puzzle Competition, followed by Chess and Indoor Bocce. A Bean Bag Toss was held at the shuffleboard court. Day nine, the final day of competition, there was more Pickleball, Bingo, Tennis and Pinochle, Continued on next page

Shell Point Life | May/June 2021

39

40

Shell Point Life | May/June 2021

Shell Point Games a Resounding Success Continued from page 38

plus some new events that included a Fishing Competition and a Spelling Bee! Can you spell f-u-n?

After a two-week whirlwind of activity, the Closing Ceremony of the Shell Point Games officially concluded the event at Serenity Cove. After the Pledge of Allegiance was recited and the Star Spangled Banner was sung by all, it was time for residents to accept their awards. The court winning first place for their flag was Junonia, a beautifully quilted flag depicting a sparkling Junonia seashell stitched onto a beautiful backdrop. The neighborhood with the most points and medals collected was The Island, whose residents cheered in excitement when the winner was announced.

Finally, as gold, silver and bronze medals were hung around the necks of the athletes, you could see the pride in the eyes of the audience and those accepting medals. It was a busy week for residents, which cultivated many new friendships and deepened our sense of community pride. Residents met new neighbors for the first time through the enjoyment of friendly competition and social interaction as participants and spectators.

Everyone’s positive, upbeat attitudes brought residents together and made the week of the Shell Point Games a huge success! n Shell Point Life | May/June 2021

41

The Academy’s First Lecture in Connie Brown Hall

BY JON HIGH, ACADEMY OF LIFELONG LEARNING

Bravo, Bravo! What a wonderful opening. On Friday evening March 19, the Academy of Lifelong Learning hosted the first lecture in Connie Brown Hall, and after a year of Covid restrictions the mood felt festive indeed.

The session entitled “Bach, Broadway and the Art of Escher” was presented by Dick Brown of Parkwood, husband of the late Connie Brown for whom the Hall is named. Dick began the evening by thanking the many people for their contributions of time, talent and treasure that made this magnificent Arts Center possible. He specifically thanked Maggie Tribby for her incredible generosity and there was spontaneous and sustained applause.

Dick’s presentation was “Bach, Broadway and the Art of Escher,” and the audience loved it giving him a standing ovation. A few days after the lecture, I met with Dick to discuss how he became so interested in this topic and also how he felt giving the first lecture in Connie Brown Hall. Here are some excerpts from our discussion: Q: How would you summarize the key ideas of your lecture?

A: The symmetry patterns in the art of Escher are very much like the symmetry patterns in much of the music we love.

Whether it is a Broadway tune, a church hymn or a symphonic melody, there can be symmetry in the repetition of a phrase either at the same pitch or a different one.

Or the symmetry could be in a phrase and its reflection, a technique Bach often used.

Q: Have you always been interested in Escher and music?

A: Well, I have always been interested in music, having sung in a boy’s church choir starting at age 8, and then in glee clubs and quartets in high school and college. But it wasn’t until my early 30s when I first saw a book of Escher prints that I became captivated by his work and its tie-in to music. I should add that Connie was also keenly interested in music and she also sang in choruses and small groups throughout high school and college.

42

Shell Point Life | May/June 2021

Dick Brown (Parkwood) presented Bach, Broadway and the Art of Escher, the first lecture in Connie Brown Hall in the new Tribby Arts Center.

Q: How did you meet Connie?

A: I was a junior at the University of Rochester and a part of a service club that met incoming freshmen at the train station.

I met Connie as she got off the train and never dated another girl.

Q: Soon after you married Connie, you taught at Exeter. What was life like there?

A: Life at a boarding school meant that I was teaching math, was a dormitory master and coached baseball, soccer and squash.

I even coached pee-wee hockey for 7 and 8 year-olds. Connie and I both acted in town theater and sang in a county-wide chorus.

At our church she was the organist and I was the boys’ choir director.

Connie and Dick were married for 56 years until she passed away in 2017. Connie’s love of music and the arts inspired Dick to honor his wife’s memory with a gift to the Tribby Arts Center for the main auditorium, named Connie Brown Hall.

Q: At the lecture you were introduced as having been honored by President George H.W. Bush. What was that like?

A: In 1989, I received the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching in a Rose Garden ceremony at the White House. President Bush, and First Lady Bush along with their cocker spaniel “Millie” made us feel really special.

Q: Is it true that you are an author?

A: Yes, and so are Connie and our son Dan. Connie wrote two histories, the best known was about wives and daughters at the all-male Phillips Exeter Academy before it became coeducational. As for me, I have written many high school math textbooks, some no doubt used by kids and grandchildren of Shell Point residents.

Q: What excites you about the new Tribby Arts Center?

A: What’s not to get excited about?

There are studios for photography, painting, quilting, glass work, pottery, crafts, and a gorgeous auditorium. There’s a gift shop featuring the arts and crafts of talented Shell Point residents, a coffee shop, a dance studio, even a comfortable literary lounge and library. The Tribby has to be the finest center for the arts in any retirement community in the world. We are so lucky!

Q: How did it feel giving the first lecture in Connie Brown Hall?

A: There were a few moments when I was referring to Connie and our family that I had to fight back the tears. It was her influence that led our children into careers in the arts: son Dan as a novelist, daughter Valerie as an artist, and son Gregory as a composer and conductor. I know that she would be thrilled with this Hall and deeply humbled to have her name attached to it.

Q: What do you think about the design of Connie Brown Hall?

A: Acoustically it is perfect. You can hear someone speaking even if the speaker is not using a microphone. Visually the sight lines are terrific, but what most people do not see is the spacious wing and backstage areas which will accommodate musicals and stage productions. And if you are outdoors, you will notice the rear of the Tribby is built higher to allow for easy scene changes from

above the stage. All in all, the hall is an absolute jewel.

For more than 20 years the Academy of Lifelong Learning has been providing the residents of Shell Point a wide-variety of educational programming. We are excited how Connie Brown Hall and the rest of the Tribby Arts Center will expand and enhance these opportunities in the days to come.

Women’s History Month Offered Interesting Classes in the Academy of Lifelong Learning

BY ANETTE ISAACS, ACADEMY OF LIFELONG LEARNING

To celebrate Women’s History Month, the Academy of Lifelong Learning at Shell Point highlighted the achievements of many women.

One speaker in particular, Dr. Leslie Goddard, made a favorable impression on Shell Point with her presentations that focused on two well-known females from history – Betty Crocker and Amelia Earhart.

Betty Crocker Dr. Goddard gave an evening lecture on the iconic Betty Crocker and the cookbook that changed how America eats.

More than 130 residents were delighted to learn about the invention of the fictional character of “Betty Crocker” (the brainchild of a 1921 advertising campaign by a Minneapolis-based flour milling company) who has been dishing out cooking and baking advice to America’s home cooks for the last 100 years.

The delightful event was crowned with a charming goodie bag of Crocker-inspired cookies that each attendee got to take home that night.

Amelia Earhart Dr. Goddard changed gears significantly the following morning and presented a first-person portrayal of the fearless Amelia Earhart. Dressed for the part with a leather cap, a weathered leather jacket and aviator spectacles, the Chicago-based historian and actress encapsulated the spunk and spirit of

Dr. Leslie Goddard traveled from Chicago to present lively classes on Betty Crocker and Amelia Earhart in Connie Brown Hall.

the iconic Ms. Earhart perfectly.

The audience enjoyed learning that the Kansas-born aviatrix was not only the first female pilot to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean, but that she also was a great personal friend of Eleanor Roosevelt and one of the founders of what would later become the TWA airline.

Upcoming Academy Highlights May and June will also be important months for the Academy: On May 20, author Robert Macomber returns for a fascinating presentation, Yachts That Went to War. He will explore the story of elegant yachts, focusing on four poignant tales about vessels which were turned into warships during the Spanish-American War. Attendees will be astonished at the careers of these ships, and how some of them went on to serve our country for decades!

In commemoration of Memorial Day FGCU Professor Thomas Cimarusti will

examine The Music of the First World War on May 26.

Throughout the Great War, music became a prominent feature on the home fronts and the battlefields: propaganda songs, protest songs, and dance songs saturated mainstream American and European cultures. Popular songs such as It’s a Long Way to Tipperary, and Over There reflected differing sentiments at home and abroad. The beloved musicologist will explain how the First World War would eventually lead composers to fundamentally challenge the very definition of music.

Local expert bee keepers Dennis and Virginia Riggs will stop by on May 21 to teach a captivating workshop on Honey, the Golden Nectar. Attendees will learn all about the importance of honeybees, the health benefits and qualities of honey, and how the nectar is produced. In addition they will get to taste different honey varieties such as palmetto, orange blossom; and mangrove – making this an all-around sweet and educational afternoon.

For detailed information on these and many other lifelong learning opportunities, please consult the current Academy of Lifelong Learning brochure available at either Concierge Desk.

Shell Point Life | May/June 2021

43

A Walk Through

Old Florida

B Y J I M P L U M M E R ( PA R K WO O D )

F

orty-one members of the Shell Point Walking Club concluded the 2020-2021 walking season with a wonderful visit to Koreshan State Park in Estero on Saturday, April 10. This park is particularly good for our approach to walking – close to home, scenic, historically interesting, and not too crowded.

Additionally, the weather was near perfect Saturday morning.

We began by exploring the past in the settlement where nearly 200 members of the Koreshan Unity established what they intended to be a utopian “New Jerusalem” in the mid- to late44

Shell Point Life | May/June 2021

Before the walkers broke into two groups — the 3-Mile Walkers and the 5-Mile Walkers — they gathered together on the deck of the Koreshan Art Hall where early villagers put on musical performances and displayed art. The park is home to eleven nationally-registered historic buildings. Walking Club leader, Jim Plummer, kicked off the final walk of the season with an overview of the park's history and provided a summary of the Koreshan’s pioneer-like settlement.

Gopher tortoise

The 5-Mile Walkers paused at Bamboo Landing, where some of the park's largest clusters of Japanese bamboo grow. The Koreshan's planted exotic trees from various countries, however the bamboo originated locally from the Edison & Ford Estates.

Mossy oak trees

Bamboo Landing on the Estero River

Sandy trails

1890s. Under the leadership of Dr. Cyrus Teed, this industrious and cultured group built a self-reliant town in what had been sub-tropical swampland before their arrival.

Upon Teed’s death in 1908, the group went into a tailspin, from which they never recovered. Membership dwindled, until its last member, who arrived in 1940, died in 1982. Many of the buildings are preserved and remain in their original, historic state.

It’s a fascinating story.

To read about the Koreshans, look for

an excellent history written by Lyn Milner, a journalism professor at Florida Gulf Coast University, titled “The Allure of Immortality: An American Cult, a Florida Swamp, and a Renegade Prophet.”

After visiting this site of local history, we greatly enjoyed walking on the park’s shaded nature trail along the Estero River, to observe Florida in its natural state – pines, palmettos, oaks and palms, interContinued on next page Shell Point Life | May/June 2021

45

Park visitors can look through the windows to see what furnishings looked like in the village more than 100 years ago. Each building has been meticulously restored.

The Planetary Court, 1904 Walkers passed over beautiful bridges in the park.

Conrad Schlender Building, 1908

A WALK THROUGH OLD FLORIDA Continued from page 45

spersed with large, tall groves of bamboo which, we understand, were gifted to the Koreshans by Thomas Edison during one of his several visits to their community. It ’s really an attractive, enjoyable walk. Other highlights in this nearby state park include a campground, a large picnic area, and kayak rental opportunities.

We initially had concerns about the 2020-2021 walking season, due to Covid-19, but we took precautions along the way and successfully completed seven events which were all well-received: Lakes Regional Park, Sanibel – Bailey Tract, Fort Myers Beach, Punta Gorda, Lovers Key State Park, “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge, and Koreshan State Park.

Next season’s walks will begin on Saturday, October 9, with an all-new selection of locations – once per month. We look forward to seeing you then, on the trail.

46

Shell Point Life | May/June 2021

Village machine shop

3-Mile Walkers

In Memoriam

BY REV. AND REW HAWKINS, PH . D. , S E N I OR PASTOR, T H E V I LLAG E CH URCH

My first memories were not particularly pleasant. I just remember sweating profusely.

It was hot in Washington, D.C., and humid – a typical summer’s day in our nation’s capitol. Ordinarily, it would have been like that in July or August, but this was at the end of May. It wasn’t supposed to be this hot.

It was Memorial Day weekend. We had friends visiting from Pittsburgh. My Mom and Dad had the bright idea to take them 30 miles to the south into D.C. to see the monuments. I was too young to appreciate it. It was sweltering. I was miserable.

Memorial Day grew on me as I grew up. As a Boy Scout I participated in ceremonies at the local American Legion. When I was in the high school concert band, I played in community celebrations. The meaning of the day began to dawn on me. Eventually, it became the special day it is for everyone who cherishes freedom and appreciates the ultimate sacrifices made by men and women who protect our liberties.

Memorial Day – one of our nation’s most treasured holidays. Aside from Independence Day and Thanksgiving, perhaps the most iconic celebration unique to the United

States. Ever since the Civil War, members of our society have visited cemeteries, placing flowers or wreaths on the resting places for veterans who have fallen in battle. “Decoration Day” was its original name.

Memorials are an important part of our society. If we do not remember, we do

not appreciate. We do not embrace the values that have sustained our nation. We do not treasure our history. I trust that this Memorial Day will not go unnoticed by all who are a part of our community. We must remember our fallen service members, especially those we’ve known – from World War II, Korea, Vietnam, Iraq, Afghanistan.

But it’s also important to remember our loved ones in our own community.

Whether in the military or not, our friends and neighbors have contributed to our wel-

fare in many ways. When they pass from this life, it is appropriate to take the time for a memorial.

Sadly, many decide not to have a memorial. Sometimes it’s a family decision. Often the person who has passed had expressed a desire not to have such a service. Out of humility, perhaps (“Please, I don’t want much to be made of me when I die”).

Unfortunately, that decision short-circuits the grieving process for friends and loved ones. We do want to remember. We do want to take the time to talk about our loved ones, to express our appreciation for their contribution to our lives. And for believers in Jesus, we want to thank God for them. We are all hardwired for such remembrances.

We at The Village Church support memorials for members of our community. They are the kind of events which bring us together, and which remind us of the richness of Shell Point. Don’t hesitate to contact us about memorial services whenever the time is appropriate.

In any event, whether it is the Memorial Day, or your memorial day, don’t forget to remember your friends and loved ones.

Happy Memorial Day. Shell Point Life | May/June 2021

47

Natu re’s Noteb ook

BY STEVE MORTON, DIRECTOR O F L A N D S C A P E O P E R AT I O N S

A Whiter Shade of Pale After what seemed an eternity arranging luggage in the trunk, my father closed the lid and called to me.

“Ok, Steve-o-buddy let’s take the top down.” We simultaneously unlatched the white vinyl top from the windshield and retracted the convertible into the boot of the car. Perhaps due to some odd genetic duplication, at the exact same moment we both stepped back onto the lawn to admire the lines of the car. It was a new 1964 Mustang convertible and we were taking it on vacation. The waxed, white paint was like a lighthouse beacon, drawing the neighborhood boys on their Schwinn Stingray bikes.

The front door of the house closed and my mother stepped off the porch. My father and I immediately shifted the focus of our admiration. She wore oversize round sunglasses with faux tortoise shell frames. Her silk print scarf was tied tightly under her chin, covering her coiffed hair. It was as if Audrey Hepburn graced the lawn of our tiny, post WWII suburban home, prepared for her departure scene. Finally on the road, the wind blew through my hair, parting each strand like a freedom comb.

I raised my arms into the slipstream as if the shiny white convertible was a roller coaster ride to paradise.

The miles flew by as we glided over the asphalt magic carpet, ever closer to Florida. I think it was Georgia when the

first Coppertone billboards appeared.

Now, we remember the little girl and the dog tugging at her swimming suit. It is too bad that we didn’t notice those billboards in Kentucky. By the time we checked into our motel, my mother’s pale white arms and shoulders had turned a prickly pink.

Instead of swimming in the motel pool, my dad and I were driving in downtown Macon looking for Solarcaine. For the

next couple of days, mom could not leave the room during the light of day.

The residents of Daytona Beach must have thought that we were moonfaced vampires prowling the streets of their town, gawking at their homes.

Rather than night stalkers, we were actually plant stalkers, seeking all the new and unusual plants found nowhere else but Florida. Each bungalow offered a vein of something new and we lapped it up. Some of the plants were known to us as small houseplants. However, in

Florida, these average houseplants had grown in the garden to gargantuan proportions. Other plants were completely unknown to us.

We were two blocks west of State Road A1A when the glowing apparition appeared. The municipal street lamps reflected from the pale white flowers ethereally. Upon closer inspection, the flowers seemed delicate as a wisp of crepe paper, while the multi-stemmed trunk was mottled and coffee colored. Native to India, Lagerstroemia indica has been home in Southern American Gardens since ten years after the revolution in 1786. The most accepted common name for the small tree is Crepe Myrtle. Yet, some still prefer the name of “the tree of one hundred days” due to its long flowering period.

The Crape Myrtle is in the Goldilocks range of “just right” in terms of size. At about twelve feet in height, the tree is well scaled and suited to a modest home. They come in a range of flower colors including white and various shades of pink, red and purple. Despite the summer beauty of this tree, it does become deciduous, even in our warm Southwestern Florida winters.

To discover this pale, porcelain beauty, there is no need to skulk about in the night, you can find it anytime within the Island neighborhood next to the Sundial building near the marina. Don’t forget your sunscreen.